What is the card floor limit for Sainsburys?

[SaraD91]

Hi all, I’m sorry to be posting this.
It’s a week before payday, and I’m struggling. I’m technically in my unarranged overdraft where I’m in minus money but can try and spend up to £50 before things start declining.

According to my bank, this is known as the floor limit - they’ve also said there’s a chance they can still decline random transactions.

I ask, does anybody know if Sainsburys have a floor limit and if so, what is it? I would have about £30 of this floor limit/overdraft to use. I’ve got food and transport I need to pay for, I would never dream of posting this usually. Thanks for any help. ❤️

You won't be able to spend money you don't have. It doesn't really work that way anymore.

I'm sorry that seem to be in trouble, can you elaborate?

Surely it's up to the bank rather than Sainsbury's? If they've said they may decline random transactions, there's no guarantee you will be able to spend anything in any shop.

OP think's Sainsbury's won't seek authorisation for lower amount transactions and she will be able to scam more money down the bank.

You are already in an unauthorised overdraft OP, the bank are not going to keep letting you spend

Floor limits are set by the retailer, it goes back to the days when cards were swiped manually and anything above the limit had to have auth from the bank via a phone call.
Afaik now they only kick in if the connection between the retailer and bank goes offline so in theory if you don't have the funds every payment would be declined. A cheque would probably go through with a guarantee card (If anywhere still takes them?)

I don't think the floor limit exists the way it used to - for those that didn't realise, pre broadband a shop had a limit under which cards went through without bank checks. That was when it was over a phone line and took what felt like forever for the transaction to go through. Now it's virtually instant so I think most of them get checked.

As someone whose card regularly gets declined, it just won't work if you don't have the funds.

Is there a family member or close friend who can help you out financially for a week?

If they were able to lend the amount you need for transport plus something for food, you could manage, I would have thought.

That's really unkind and sneery. As somebody who has been in the same position as OP, nobody is trying to 'scam' or steal from anybody. It will all be paid back, likely with interest and/or charges, before very long.

Think yourself lucky that you've never been in those circumstances.

@FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper

That's really unkind and sneery. As somebody who has been in the same position as OP, nobody is trying to 'scam' or steal from anybody. It will all be paid back, likely with interest and/or charges, before very long.

Well you don't know it will be paid back and if you are in an unauthorised overdraft and trying to get more money from the bank m that is scamming. Don't call me unkind for stating facts.

Think yourself lucky that you've never been in those circumstances.

I have been in much worse. I'm not particularly better off now tbh.

I think it’s likely that transactions will be declined. If they do go through you’ll be hit with fees and interest.

Have you got much food in the house? Could you maybe get through the next week on some strange combinations from the back of the freezer rather than doing a food shop? (I appreciate this may not be possible).

If needed, look for sources of support. Friends, family, food bank. Does the job centre still do emergency loans? Have you got anything that you don’t want that you could sell on Facebook?

I hope you manage to sort something, it’s awful to be in the situation.

Ohh and ignore silly comments, it’s not a scam at all 🙄

@Got2getout

It actually is though. Trying to spend money you don’t have by “borrowing” without an agreement is a misuse of your bank account, and banks close accounts for that. It’s one of the reasons they got rid of the £1 pre-authorisation at the petrol pumps. People were going to the fuel pump with a couple of pounds in their account, passing the £1 authorisation and then filling up their car. When they actual charge came out, the bank couldn’t refuse it so had to give you an unauthorised overdraft. They started closing accounts for misuse/fraud. So that’s why you now have an authorisation of £120 or a lower amount once the pump checks what you have in your account to spend.

This is the same. She is hoping to use her card and get a glitch were it won’t check and the sale will go through. That’s fraud. It also won’t work. If the money isn’t there then the sale will be declined anyway so it’s a moot point.

You need another solution, OP.

@SaraD91 sorry you're in this position.

there are lots of food banks, country kitchens & good to go type places. Could you not use these for a couple of weeks instead?

@Got2getout

Ohh and ignore silly comments, it’s not a scam at all 🙄

Of course it is!

It’s not a scam. It’s not advisable, and it’s not a sound financial choice, but it’s not a scam. The banks have means and capability of not only recouping the money, but also charging a hefty fee on top. It’s part of how banks make money.

The OP has mentioned it being a week before payday, therefore implying that there will be money going into this about within the next week. Money the bank will access for overdraft and fees before the OP can.

OP isn’t defrauding anyone, she’s simply attempting to access (very expensive) credit.

It’s likely all transactions will decline if you’re in an unauthorised OD I’m afraid.

if your account conduct has previously been good, I’d recommend giving your bank a call. They may increase your limit by £50 for example so you are in an agreed OD rather than unauthorised. If you can evidence money is going to be coming in and that’s a regular payment I’d be surprised if the bank decline as most are providing support during these tough cost of living times and January is an understandable tough month for many!!

OP if you shop at Sainsbury's you have a nectar card? Check how many points you've got, maybe it's enough to buy your food with.

It's right there in OP's second line: "It's a week before payday". How many bigtime scammers do you know who borrow a little money that you wouldn't even miss for a week and then pay it back to you along with whatever interest or charges you request?

It's borrowing, albeit unauthorised - it's one of the main functions of banks and how they get mega rich. They may send you snotty letters telling you off for 'delinquent behaviour', but if they wanted to prevent it from being possible for you to borrow short-term from them, they could easily do so; but that's the last thing they'll do, because they actually want people to make them rich as a result of their own poverty.

They just berate you for it to make it look like they have a social conscience (and maybe they like wielding the power, who knows) - a bit like when the betting companies take out adverts telling you not to gamble more than you can comfortably afford to lose, knowing full well that the extreme profitability of their business is designed around vulnerable people doing just that.

"scam more money". ....??!

That's not a very kind. Awful in fact.

You've never been poor and in your overdraft and desperately needing food, have you?

If you had, you'd be more understanding.

@penjil

Don't make assumptions about my financial status. It's possible to be 'poor' and still not try to spend money you don't have. I wasn't trying to be unkind, just factual.

Have you searched for local food banks or food pantries | community fridges? Olio app?

Do you have any Sikh gudhwaras nearby, they often have community meals that anyone can go to?

Please phone your bank and explain your circumstances to them. Many say they to have advice or help available for people in difficulty. Unauthorised overdrafts are hideously expensive.
They might well authorise an overdraft for you or temporarily extend the amount allowed. Alternatively, could you ask your employer for a small advance on your wages?

Well I just went into Sainsbury’s and did a £34 and that was taken instantly if that’s what you asking. Before the receipt had even finished printed my bank flashed up that I’d spent that much there.

This! I work for a major bank and they should be able to offer you some temporary help. You are classed as a vulnerable customer and will be used to calls like this. Please don't worry and see what they say.

I am really sorry that you are in this position and I think contacting your bank is a very good first thing to do.
Longer term though if this is something that happens often then having an extra source of income even if its not giant - might help. You could make £5/£10 and get it straight into your bank in a day or two via online surveys.
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Hope things get better for you as it's horrible being stressed about money.